The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-10-27
Elihu B. Washbu1ne Dead.
The Former Secretary Of state and
Minister to France 1reatheo
HE Last In Chicago.
0evleW. OF Notable and Honorable
Career OF the Distinguished
9toteonsan and Diplomat.

| Maroon OF TITO Ou6JO8Uo0O00
9tateonsan and Diplomat.
The Hon. Elihu B. Washburne, died in
Chicago on Saturday last, at the residence
OF his son. Hampstead Washburne, of con.
gestion OF the heart and lungs. He had
complained Of illness during the day, and
at four o'clock, was attacked by acute pain
at his heart, and in a few minutes expired.
The deceased had apparently 80 completely
recovered from his late illness that his sons
and daughters had returend to their homes,
1t being the generalfeeling that he was in bet
burne's death, and his death was q com.
plete surprise to his family and friends.
The Washburne family came from the
best OF Revolutionary and Puritan stock,
their ancestor. John Washburne, being the
first secretary Of the Council OF Ply outh.
The father OF Elihu Is. Washburne and six
brothers was a native OF Massachusetts
and resident of Maine, in which latter
state his family was reared. The father,
keeper at Livermore Oxford county,
District OF Mnine." where Elihu was
born in September, 1916. There
were seven sons. most OF whom
have attained distinction in political, mil
| itary and civil life. The best known of
these arc Israel Washburne a member OF
congress from Maine and governor of that
state; Caldwallatler G.. Washburue, mem.
Der OF congress- from Wisconsin, a major
consin; and Gen. William D. Washburne,
an ex' member OF congress from Minnesota,
soldier in tie war, and at present a
prominent miller and railroad magnate OF
Minneapolis. VI the seven brothers, Sidney,
Israel and Cadwallader have been dead
some time. The first step taken on his own
account by Elihu Washburne, after helping
his father in the store for several years,
was to secure the position OF "printer's
gencer at Gardner Me-. where he passed a
year. He afterward obtained better
position in the office of the Kenncbec
Journal, the leading Wing organ of the
district, and it was during this early news.
paper experiences that he imbibed much OF
his political faith and convictions. In
1896 Mr.. Washburne, then a young
man OF twenty, began the study Of law,
entering the Office OF Hon John Otis, dis.
tineuished lawyer and member OF congress,
residing at Ha|lowell an 'aristocratic''
town in the Maine district. During this
time Mr.. Washbutne took up the study OF
the languages. and applied himself diligent:
~ to his self-education. Judge Otis was
greatly impressed with the faithiulness and
ambitious character OF his law clerk. and
assisted him in various ways. advancing
the money to pay for his attendance at
the Cambridge Law school, where Mr..
Washburne entered in 1889. In the spring
OF 1910 Mr.. Washburne started for
the West. and settled at Galena, III.
He entered with zest into the Har-
rison campaign OF that fall,
and came to the front prominently
as a Wing speaker. This active par
ticipation in the politics OF that day
earned him q good reputation and brought
1874 he was delegate to the Wing nation.
al convention at Baltimore, assisting in
the nomination OF Henry Clay.
Of thu old Galena & Chicago Union road,
one OF the pioneer stems Of the great North:
western system, the first ten miles of which
were built in 184s. During this same year
he was candidate for congress-, but was
defeated by Col. Baker. By the aid OF the
years later in defeating Thompson
Campbell, the Democratic candidate,
by majority OF ESQ. Mr.. Washburne
was re- elected term after term, carrying
the district or going along with it into the
make OF the new Republican party just
previous to the war. The first reelection
was the result OF q union movement cul.
minating in 'Republican' coalition.
which gavo Mr.. Washburne a majority of
5000. The majority secured in 1860 at
the time OF his third reelection, was 49,
Oil, the largest majority given any
member OF that congress. On the
floor OF the house, and in the i'm
portant chairmanships held by him
notably OF the committees on appro-
priations and commercials. Washburne
achieved deserved distinction and gained
ty and strict integrity. He was regarded
as perhaps the nearest friend of President
Lincoln. During the civil war Mr.. Wash.
burne was enabled TO bestow a great ia.
vor on Gen. Grant, for whom he enter
tanned strong liking. This favor consist
ed OF the presidents commission OF senior
brisadier general from Illinois. This act
Of Of friendship o J.,, was followed up. later
curing the legislation making Grant
first lieutenant general and after
ward general OF the armies. Mr..
Washburne was prominent in the i'm p ca CHI
ment proceedings against Andrew John
son, and was Unidentified with all tho i'm
portant legislation OF q period covering
seventeen consecutive years; opposing nu-
merous railroad subsidies and especially
SsAS = ssSAA~ AnhA Othu lCSlHlt changing
the government lien from first to second
mortgages. When Gen. Grant became
president he appointed Mr.. Washburne
secretary OF state. But his health failing
him shortly afterward, Mr.. Washburne
was forced to resign early in 1869. He
was then made minister to France.
On the breaking out OF the war between
France and Prussia Minister Washburne
came into immediate prominence, and
found himself called on to perform the
most exacting and laborious duties, as
well IA some Of the most delicate known
to foreign diplomacy. The archives OF the
German embassy were turned over to
Minister Washburne, and the latter's ser.
vices were requested as a matter ofnation-
al hospitality in securing the safe trans.
portation through the French lines of the
sired to return to their native country
on the breaking out OF hostilities. in accord
ance with the terms of International
comfy. This required the utmost tact
and rare abilities as a diplomat, preserv-
ing friendly relations with France while
performing this gracious service to Ger.
many. Mr.. Washburne succeeded most
admirably. The American legation he.
came the common resort of the oppressed
burne extended every possible assistance.
During the terrors OF the commune Mr..
Washburne was the only foreign min
lister who remained in Paris. For
his distinguished and heroic services
during tho siege OF Paris Mr..
Washburne has received the thanks
OF thousands among the German people
and other nationalities, and been warmly
complimentod by the governments OF
several nations. Emperor William con.
ierred upon him the Order of the Red
Eagle, one OF the highest in the
gift OF the German crown. and wrote
him personal letter expressing his graf
itude and esteem. sending with it a jeweled
star OF great value and an oil painting OF
himself. Saxony, Portugal, Mexico and a
number OF other European and South
American principa]ities were also prompt
In making their Acknowledgements OF
services performed in behalf of their
subjects. Mr.. Washburne returned to
this country after n residence OF nearly
nine years in Paris. His life after that
time was quiet and retired for the most
part and largely passed in his own library
among his books, manuscripts. paintings